Gold hit an all-time high this week, reaching $3,819 per ounce — and, for the first time in half a century, topping its 1980 peak in inflation-adjusted terms.The yellow metal is now up 45% this year, making it by far the best-performing asset class of 2025, outpacing Wall Street’s crown…
OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FINTECH SNARK TANKThe 2023 launch of instant payments via FedNow was heralded as a milestone in the modernization of US payments infrastructure. Real-time settlement, once a distant goal, was now a reality. Despite the fanfare, most financial institutions have taken only tentative steps toward adoption. According to…
Key takeaways Car prices, monthly payments, and insurance costs all rose during 2024. Good credit scores are key to securing good auto loan rates. APRs are decreasing for super prime and prime borrowers but rising for all other borrowers. Consumers should keep an eye on increased overall costs for new…
Wasan Tita/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways A down payment is the portion of a home’s purchase price the buyer isn’t financing with a mortgage. The amount is paid upfront at closing. Depending on the buyer’s finances and the type of loan, down payments typically range from 3…
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The big new fees JPMorgan Chase is planning to charge some financial technology companies may well trickle down to consumers,…
With artificial intelligence beginning to eat away at many white-collar entry-level jobs, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates…
If a society is going to make intelligent choices in policy, it helps to understand reality, which includes facts and…
New York startup Casap has raised $25 million in new funding to help banks tackle the thorny problem of credit…
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If you need retirement funds for living expenses now, paying taxes on a Roth conversion may cost more than it saves. But, if you plan to keep the money for growth or pass it on to heirs, a conversion can help you avoid future required…
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Key takeaways With debt forgiveness, creditors pardon some or all of your debt. Various types of debt may qualify for forgiveness. Debt forgiveness…
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The collapse of the plastics treaty talks in Geneva was disappointing, but not surprising. Building global consensus on an issue as complex and…
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A dashboard-mounted camera (or “dash cam”) won’t typically lower the cost of your auto insurance automatically. Almost no U.S. auto insurers offer a direct discount for installing a dash cam, but having one in your car could still have positive payoffs. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team looked into the technology and…
Image by Chorna Olena/Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate The Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions influence what you pay for variable-rate home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and new home equity loans. Let’s break down how the Fed’s monetary policy affects how much it’ll cost you to borrow against your…
Looking for the best apps for stock trading to get your money invested in the market? There’s a growing list of apps to choose from, which can make the search intimidating, especially if you’re just starting to invest. The best stock market apps let you quickly trade, track your account…
This piece was originally published in early 2023 and reflects the author’s financial decisions during that time. The rest of the article has since been updated. Key takeaways With average credit card interest rates well above 20 percent, chasing credit card rewards while carrying card debt doesn’t make any sense.…
Key takeaways Borrowers may refinance second homes and investment properties to get a lower interest rate or access the home’s equity as cash, among other reasons. The refinancing process for a second home or investment property is similar to refinancing a primary residence, but it can be harder to qualify.…
Roman_Makedonsky/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways A no-closing-cost refinance means you won’t pay closing costs upfront — but you will roll them into your loan or pay a higher interest rate. A no-closing-cost refinance saves you some money at closing, but it could end up costing you more…
Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images Traveling internationally can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but comes with its fair share of challenges. One of the best ways to prepare for international travel is to have a credit card specifically designed for it. Not only do these cards offer rewards and perks, but…
Pensions and 403(b) plans represent two distinct ways to save for retirement, each with its own structure and advantages. A pension provides a predictable income stream in retirement, usually funded and managed by an employer. A 403(b), on the other hand, relies on employee contributions and investment growth, giving individuals…
Because annuities are designed to provide long-term income, accessing funds too early can trigger an annuity early withdrawal penalty. Insurance companies typically impose surrender charges if you withdraw money within the first several years, and the IRS may add a 10% penalty on withdrawals before age 59 ½. These costs…
Key takeaways APR reflects the total annual cost of a personal loan, including both fees and interest. Many lenders state their APR online to make it easier to compare before you apply. Your APR will be based on your credit score, income and other financial factors. The annual percentage rate,…
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